Love Lydgate. What’s that all about? Who are we and what do we do?
Basically, we are a community group made up of residents, mostly from Lydgate but from surrounding areas too.
Being inclusive is one of our goals, so essentially if you love Lydgate and like and want to support what we do…you’re in!
Love Lydgate started in humble beginnings in 2008 when villagers felt that Lydgate was being airbrushed out. We had lost our village sign and as one of the smallest villages in Saddleworth rarely got a mention. There was also huge concern about the speeding traffic on Stockport and Oldham Road. It was felt that if we could show everyone that the people who lived in Lydgate loved their village, others would respect it too
It isn’t difficult to love Lydgate; it has real character and uniqueness. It can be bleak and it is always windy but there are terrific views and stunning sunsets and that’s just looking out of the village. Once you get to know it, there are a lot more treats to explore.
Lydgate has few facilities but those we have are very special: a first class pub and restaurant, The White Hart inn, and a well-attended and attractive church with an iconic clock tower that can be seen for miles around. The local school, St. Anne’s C of E, is thriving, there is a talented Brass Band and an enthusiastic and well run Band Contest Committee. The area around Stockport Road is a Conservation area and the surrounding farmland is owned by two branches of the Yates family who have farmed here for decades. They are dairy farmers who deliver a first class product as well as maintaining the local environment.
But one of the best assets of the community is the people. There has been a history of working together in the village and this was revitalised when Love Lydgate was set up.
Love Lydgate is open to everyone. There is a small nucleus of active volunteers and we are always looking for more people to get involved. We are a properly constituted group, with a bank account and audited finances. We have a Steering Group of five which includes the Chairperson and the Treasurer. The Action Planning Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month, usually in the library of the White Hart. Meetings are minuted and open to all, as is our AGM which is usually held in March.
And how do we fund activities and projects? Well, we raise most of the funds ourselves but have been fortunate to receive funding or resources from Saddleworth Parish Council, OMBC, Saddleworth District Partnership and Voluntary Action Oldham. Local firms and organisations have supported us too as have residents who are unable to join us for activities but send generous donations. There is no membership fee for being in Love Lydgate but we could not survive without the generosity of so many.
Do come and join us and help make a difference.
Jennifer Greenwood, Chairperson, Love Lydgate
